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Atlanta, GA | Posted: October 1, 2014
Kelly B Smith, Communications Manager, (404) 894-6700
Summary Sentence:
Inaugural event focuses on finding areas of collaboration
Full Summary:
Private industry leaders, researchers, engineers and other technical experts converged on the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center Oct. 1-2 to exchange ideas on solving the challenges in the renewable bioproducts arena.
Renewable Bioproducts InstitutePrivate industry leaders, researchers, engineers and other technical experts converged on the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center Oct. 1-2 to exchange ideas on solving the challenges in the renewable bioproducts arena.
United States Senator Johnny Isakson led off the event.
“This Institute is a premier institution recognized around the world for its contributions to science and technology,” said Sen. Isakson (R-GA). “This state also possesses a wealth of natural resources that we can use to make great strides in the area of renewable bioproducts. Bringing together the cutting-edge research of Georgia Tech and the industry leaders who face new challenges in their businesses every day in this global economy brings huge opportunities to both sides.”
More than 80 individuals attended the event, Renewable Bioproducts: Advances in Lignocellulosic Processes and Products, hosted by the Renewable Bioproducts Institute. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Algenol, Renmatix and Michelin among others joined many representatives from a number of pulp and paper companies to participate in two days of panels and networking.
“We all have a part in creating a new era of development of renewable, sustainable products that meet the needs of an expanding global marketplace,” commented Marsolan, “That can only be achieved when both industry and research institutions come to the table together and share ideas, knowledge and needs.”
Earlier this year, Georgia Tech announced a broader research mission, additional resources and a new name for the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), the Renewable Bioproducts Institute. Over the last several years, the Institute’s mission has broadened beyond papermaking to include technologies that produce chemicals, biofuels and new materials from forest raw materials. The expanded scope and new name reflect that emerging reality, and position RBI to engage with broader industry partners to create opportunities for industrial and manufacturing arenas, according to Marsolan.
“This event is the first of many that can showcase the economic opportunities that exist through companies’ access to Georgia Tech’s world-class experts in materials science, chemistry and engineering, as well as through access to talented engineering graduates familiar with bioproducts technologies and opportunities,” he observed.
During the two-day session, panels consisted of industry representatives and Georgia Tech leaders. Topics included technology insights and emerging research and opportunities in chemicals and fuels, as well as materials. Experts also shared their insights into multiple areas of cutting-edge research, such as biopolymers, transportation, electronics, biofuels, plastics and specialty products.
Georgia Tech Provost Rafael Bras also addressed the group, emphasizing the important role both Georgia Tech and RBI play in the future of industry as it evolves. “It’s a dynamic institute (RBI) that is moving onward. It fits our quality enhancement program, our accreditation process, our economic development and industrial strategy,” Bras said.
“There are many exciting things going on with the research being done inside this institute. Biofuels? This will come. No doubt about it. Pharmaceuticals, agriculture, forestry, energy, biology and human health – all of these will be based on renewable bioproducts.”
David Constable, director of the Green Chemistry Institute, closed out the conference, discussing the depleting supply of critical elements and the evolution that must take place in chemistry to meet the needs of a complex market.
“We must follow the sage advice of long ago – avoid the perfect uselessness of knowing the answer to the growing and wrong questions,” he said. “We believe sustainable and green chemistry innovation hold the key to solving most environmental and human health issues facing our world today.”
Marsolan said he looks forward to facilitating more of these roundtable discussions, providing a forum for both industry and academics to share challenges and solutions.
“Moving forward, it will be critical to bring both sides to the table, get to know one another’s processes and practices, learn how best to work together,” he said. “That starts with open dialogue. I believe this is the beginning of more and more exchanges that can bring real benefits to everyone.”
The Georgia Tech faculty and keynote speaker presentations are online at http://www.rbi.gatech.edu/news/events/2014_lc_symposium/.
